India need to believe they can do the job in Guwahati

In Manchester India was reduced to 0-2 and the match was on the line when Shubman Gill and KL Rahul stepped up to forge a fantastic partnership that was instrumental in India saving the game. Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja both scored hundreds and it was one of the most impressive fightbacks of recent times. That’s what lacked in Kolkata. We did not see fight from India. We did not see a single batter put his hand up and make it count. We did not see someone wanting to grind it out and show temperament and resolve. We did not see fight and that’s the truth.

The pitch was indeed difficult to bat on. But as Sunil Gavaskar said it wasn’t devilish. Temba Bavuma demonstrated to us all that with application and effort, you could indeed score runs on that track. India did not have a Bavuma who made it count.

Yes India missed Shubman Gill and it was 10 against 11 from the time Gill walked off. In any sport 10 against 11 is always an uphill battle and more so when you are missing your captain who is also your best batter. Having said that India had the batters to win the game and it was a job that should have been accomplished. It wasn’t for the batters were mentally not up for the challenge. It wasn’t an issue of skill. The demons were in the mind. New Zealand 0-3 was still looming on the horizon and the pressure had started to mount on India the moment Jaiswal and Rahul fell early into the innings.

The Indian side isn’t a bad side at all. England is proof they can win from tough situations. At the Oval they showed us all that they can. England went into day 5 as the favorites and India, much like South Africa, took it away. That’s what did not happen at Eden Gardens. India lacked the belief and the confidence that they could do it. All of a sudden home tests have become a mental issue and unless that is addressed we will not win Guwahati.